Gerard Damiano, Director of 'Deep Throat', Dies at 80

It takes a special sort of person to become a legend in the adult industry and not just that “flash-in-the-pan” legendary, but the type of legendary that will live on long after the person who was the basis of the legend has passed on. Gerard Damiano is one of those people.

Known for directing the infamous movie, Deep Throat, and for being the father of “pornographic chic”, Gerard Damiano, died of complications that followed a stroke this past Saturday, October 25. Damiano was a man who was happy with his career, had a loving family, and had many loyal friends to boot.

Crediting his “nice guy” personality, Damiano was able to cultivate many friendships in the adult industry and was admired by all who met him. He was given a chance to see his family and friends this past August when his ex-wife and children threw a surprise birthday party to celebrate his 80th birthday, and among those celebrating with him were Georgina Spelvin, who starred in the Damiano-directed The Devil In Miss Jones.

Damiano wasn’t always headed towards a career in pornography, though. He enlisted in the Navy when he turned 17, and after serving for 4 years, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill and studied X-ray technology. It wasn’t until he had opened a hair salon when he was 29 that he was first introduced to the world of film making. His accountant at the time introduced him to some budding filmmakers, and Damiano was immediately hooked and offered to help on the set wherever he could.

Gerard Damiano directed many adult films, and although it was Deep Throat, starring Linda Lovelace, that made his name unforgettable in the adult industry, it was his personality and reputation that made him legendary.